Nicolas Anelka accepts Chelsea decision to grant transfer request

Nicolas Anelka is set to leave Chelsea in January. Photograph: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

The Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka has accepted the club's decision to show him the door. The Frenchman, who has been starved of opportunities this season owing to the emergence of Daniel Sturridge, confirmed that he is ready to move on.

In a statement on his official website, Anelka wrote: "I've known for a little while where I'll be on 2 January. The club, which is going through a difficult time, has decided to work with Chelsea's players of the future and, as I am a good professional, I have accepted this."

"My conversation with them was fair and direct," Villas-Boas said. "They have shown their interest in leaving the club and have had transfer requests for some time. They are top players. Their professionalism and integrity are not in question. But we have decided to assign different training times to them. If their transfers don't happen, the players will return to full training."